Coin controlled switch apparatus



June 28, 1938. A, HALL 2,122,357

COIN CONTROLLED SWITCH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,June 28, 1938. M. A. HALL 2,122,357

COIN CONTROLLED SWITCH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mi to/zellfLHall Patented June 28, 1938 UNITED STATES COIN CONTROLLED Mitchell A. Hall,

SWITCH APPARATUS Fort Thomas, Ky.

Application September 18, 1935, Serial No. 41,108

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a control unit adapted to be interposed between and to cooperate with coin operated mechanism and a device adapted to be placed at the service of an operator who deposits a coin or coins in the mechanism provided therefor. A common instance of a device of the kind described is an electrically operated phonograph means for changing the records after one of the latter has been played. It is obvious that other devices adapted to be placed in operation by a coin mechanism may likewise be associated with the means of the present invention but as illustrated and described herein, the electrically operated device may be considered a phonograph.

An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a control unit comprising an electric switch in the electric phonograph circuit and comprising means whereby the switch is opened by the operation of the record changing member and is closed again by the operation of the coin mechanism.

Another object is to provide, in a control unit of the kind described, a normally self-closing switch, means whereby a switch opening member is advanced a limited distance toward the switch upon each operation of the record changing member, and means for closing the switch and controlled by the coin mechanism in such manner that the members effecting closure of the switch are retracted a greater or lesser distance away from the closed switch according as a. coin of larger or smaller denomination is deposited in the coin mechanism.

Another object is to provide coin mechanism comprising two or more slides and a common actuating member operated by the slides individually and adapted to be moved a greater or lesser distance according to whether a slide for a greater or for a. smaller denomination of coin is initially operated.

Another object is the production of efficient and compact control units which may be manufactured at a minimum of cost and which may be-operated over maximum periods of time without deterioration.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the control unit and of the coin slide assembly of the present invention shown in their operative positions and having associated therewith, but shown diaprovided with T grammatically herein, an electrically operated device such as a phonograph.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section and with parts broken away, of the control unit of this invention.

-Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the control unit taken in the plane of the arrow A, Fig. 2, the control unit housing being removed.

Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views illustrating the positions of the ratchet operating levers or pawls of the present invention.

Figs. 6, 'I, 8, and 9 are diagrammatic views showing various positions of the switch contact and the actuator associated therewith.

The control unit of this invention comprises a. bottom plate 2 and a top plate 3 connected together in parallel spaced relationship by suitable spacing rods 4 into the ends of which suitable threaded bolts 5 are adapted to be inserted from the outside face of said two plates. The bottom-plate 2 has rotatably mounted centrally thereof a vertical shaft I, the lower end of which is secured to the plate 2 by a suitable bolt B (Fig. 2) which lies against the outer face of the bottom plate 2. A switch lever 6 of insulating material is rotatably mounted on the shaft I. The outer end of the switch lever 6, as seen in Fig. 3, has thereon a switch element 52 which is adapted to be brought into wiping contact with the cooperating switch element 53, secured as at 54, to the bottom plate 2. The element 53 wouldnormally be a resilient bronze strip. A stop' 55 limits movement of the switch lever 6 to the position indicated wherein the two switch elements are in operative contact. A spring 56 normally urges the switch lever 6 toward the element 53, that is, toward a closed position of the switch. It will be seen that a contact plate 51 is connected with the switch element 52 and extends onto the switch lever B. A screw bolt 58 attaches one end of a connecting wire 59 to said contact plate. The other end of said wire 59 is connected beneath a similar threaded bolt 60 which projects beneath the bottom plate 2 and which has on its lower end a suitable connection GI (Fig. 2) adapted to receive one of the electric circuit wires coming from an electrically operated phonograph or the like. The screw 54 which connects the switch contact 53 to the bottom plate 2 has a similar connection 62 at its lower end, on the under face ofsaid bottom plate, which connection is adapted to receive the other of the circuit wires connecting with the electrically operated phonograph or device. The switch lever 6 has an upwardly projecting contact pin 63 thereon and positioned intermediate the ends of said switch lever.

Another structural detail of the present device is mounted on the bottom plate 2, on the side substantially opposite the switch mechanism described. This structure comprises a small triangular plate 64 (Figs. 2, 6, '7, 8, and 9). One corner of this plate is pivotally mounted, as at 65, on the bottom plate 2. A second corner of said plate has an upwardly projecting pin 66 thereon and the outermost corner of the plate has a spring 61 secured thereto and normally urging the plate 64 into contact with a lug 68 projecting upwardly from the bottom plate 2. This triangular plate is adapted to cooperate with the switch contact member in a manner to be subsequently set forth.

Above the switch lever 6, a ratchet wheel I and a spacer B are in position between the wheel proper and the underlying lever 6. A switch contact 9 is pivotally mounted as at It) on the under face of the wheel I and adjacent the periphery thereof. The pivotal movement of the switch contact 9 is limited by stops H and [2 (F18. 3).

Immediately above the wheel I is mounted a lever arm I3 adapted to actuate the ratchet 1 toward the switch, as will be further described. This lever arm I3, as seen in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, has its inner end pivotally mounted adjacent the top of the shaft 6. On the outer end of the arm l3, as seen in Fig. 3, is pivotally mounted, as at H, a triangular plate IS. A slot l6 adjacent the inner corner of this plate coacts with a stop I! disposed therein and attached to the arm l3 for limiting pivotal movement of the plate IS on the end of the arm l3. The outermost corner of the plate l5 has an upwardly projecting pin l9 secured thereon. To the left of this pin, on the adjacent corner of the plate IS, a downwardly extending pawl 20 is provided, this pawl being adapted to enter between the teeth of the ratchet wheel I for advancing the ratchet wheel, as will be further described. A spring l3 (Fig. 3) has one end secured to the innermost corner of the plate l5 and the other end secured to an adjacent part oi the arm 13 for normally urging the plate in such direction that the pawl 20 is out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, as seen in Fig. 3. It will likewise be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, that a spring 2| has one end attached adjacent the outer end of the arm l3 and the other end secured to a suitable standard 22, said spring normally urging the outer end of the arm I3 into contact against a stop 23 mounted on the bottom plate 2.

Mounted immediately above the arm I3, on the shaft 6, is an arm 24 (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5) projecting outwardly of the outer end of which is a lug 25 which coacts with a flat coil spring 38 as will be further described. Beneath the arm 24 and pivotally connected thereto as at 26 (Fig. 2) is a lever plate 21 formed with an outwardly projecting portion 26 upwardly from which a pin 29 projects. Toward the rear of the lever plate 28, the latter has secured thereon, a downwardly projecting pawl member 30 which is normally out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel but which, in Fig. 3, is shown' in position between two of said teeth. The position of the pawl 30 in Fig. 3 represents the end of the stroke of the lever arm 24. A spring 3| extending between the lever plate 28 and the arm 24, is not at such tension at this portion of the stroke to draw the pawl 30 into the teeth of the ratchet,

but, at the beginning of the stroke of the arm 24, as seen in Fig. 5, the spring 3| is at such tension as to draw the pawl 30 into the teeth for carrying the ratchet around. The foregoing will be further elaborated when the structure is set forth below. A downwardly projecting pin 32 (Fig. 3) on arm 24 and a cooperating slot 33 in the lever plate 28 serve to limit pivotal movement of said lever plate. A threaded bolt 34 (Fig. 2) extends into the upper end of the central shaft I and serves to hold in position the lever arms above described.

The top plate 3 of the control unit of this invention is formed to provide an inverted chamber 35 having a peripheral flange 36 through which the spacer bolts 5 are projected, as pre: viously described. Interiorly of the chamber 36, as seen in Fig. 2, is secured a core 31 around which coil spring 38 is wrapped. The inner end of this spring is secured to the core 31 and the outer end of this spring is attached suitably to the upper end of the lug 25 as suggested at 39. An intermediate plate 40 is positioned within the chamber 35 below the coil spring 38 but the outer edge of plate 40 projects short of the flange 36 so that a space or way 4| (Fig. 2) is provided for the reception and circular movement of the lug 25.

A sleeve 42 projects downwardly through the chamber 35 and the core 3'! being rotatably inserted therein and the lower end of the sleeve has secured thereto a lever arm 43, the outer end of which is adapted to be carried against the upwardly projecting pin I 9 for actuating the triangular plate I5 and the arm H to which the latter is attached. It will be seen clearly in Fig. 3 that the arm 43 has limited free movement between the pin 19 and a stop 44 projecting downwardly from the flange 36 of the top plate. The upper end of the sleeve 42 projects above the chamber 35 and has removably secured thereto a link 45 which is adapted to be actuated by the record changing device of a phonograph or by other associated mechanism.

Through the sleeve 42 a rotatable rod 46 projects, to the lower end of which a lever 41 is secured. As seen in Fig. 3 the outer end of the lever 41 extends between the pin 29 and a stop 48 projecting downwardly from the flange 36, said lever having a certain amount of free movement between said members. The upper end of the rod 46, above the chamber 35, has a link 49 removably secured thereto and by means of which the lever 41 is adapted to be actuated by a coin mechanism, for carrying the lever plate 21 and the arm 24 in the direction of the switch. A stop 96 (Figs. 2 and 3) limits forward movement of said lever plate and its associated lever assembly.

It has been intimated previously that the ratchet wheel is adapted to be moved by certain leverage actions. It may be conveniently pointed out here that the rotation of the ratchet wheel is steadied by a yieldable stabilizing medium which may consist, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, of a pair of short strips 69 which are mounted at one end in spaced relationship on a suitable standard 10 secured to bottom plate 2. The outer ends of the arms 69 embrace revolubly between them a small roller ll which bears against the periphery of the ratchet wheel. The roller is yieldably held in this position by a spring 12 secured to the outer end of one of the arms 69 and having its inner end attached adjacent the center of the bottom plate 2.

In Fig. 1 there is conventionally represented a portion of an electrically operated device 59, such as a phonograph. A motor utilized in connection with this device is represented at 5|.

A pair of electric circuit wires 13 extend from the motor 5| and have their outer ends attached, one each, to one of the electrical connections BI and 52 on a bottom plate 2 of the control unit whereby the electric switch of this unit is incorporated in the circuit of the phonograph or similar electrically operated device.

A record changing device of any suitable character, that is, a mechanism periodically operative at the termination of each unit of performance, is associated with the photograph or device 59. Such a member is indicated conventionally at 509 (Fig. 1). A suitable record actuating means with which the present invention might be associated may be seen in the Wilcox Patent No. 2,002,236. The present invention contemplates the use of a lever 91 (Fig. 1) having one end connected with such periodically operating member and the other end pivotally connected, as at 14, with the outer end of the link 45 for actuating the latter and the leverage assembly heretofore described as associated therewith.

The other link 49 is associated with a coin operated mechanism. In accordance with the present invention, the coin mechanism may comprise two or more coin slides such as those indicated in Fig. 1 at 15, 18 and 11. The coin slides, in accordance with known construction, are supported in a suitable upright 18 and by suitable guides 19. As conventionally represented in Fig. 1, the coin slides may have associated therewith a housing 110 which encloses means for precluding operation of the slide until the proper. coin has been deposited on the slide. Suitable means of the kind just indicated may be seen in the Hall Patents Nos. 2,010,360 and 1,908,752. Adjacent the inner ends of the several coin slides, a primary lever is positioned, having one end pivotally connected as at 8| on a suitable support 82. The primary lever 80, in its normal position, overlies the inner ends of the coin slides and above ecah of the slides the lever has positioned thereon an abutment 83. "At a suitable point on the primary lever 80, one end of a link 84 is pivotally attached, as at 85, the other end of said link having pivotal connection, as at 86, with the outer end of the link 49 of the control unit. Each coin slide has pivotally attached thereto just forwardly of the normal position of the primary lever 80, a lug 81 which has one end pivotally connected asat 88 to the associated coin slide. Each lug may be mounted on a spacing block 89- so that the lug may be swung rearwardly without abutting the edge of the adjacently disposed primary lever 80. A stop 99 on each of the coin slides limits forward swinging movement of the lugs and a spring 9| normally retains each lug against its associated stop 90. A suitable guide 92 may be provided beneath the primary lever 88, for supporting the latter during the pivotal movements thereof.

The operation of the invention is as follows. An operator deposits a coin in one or other of the coin slides, it being understood that the slides are adapted to receive coins of different values, for example, as shown herein, slide 15 is adapted to receive a twenty-five cent piece, slide 16 is adapted to receive a ten cent piece and slide 11 is adapted to have a five cent piece deposited thereon. The operator, havingdeposited his coin,

pushes in the coin slide, in a manner which is well understood in the art. For the purpose of illustration, the slide 15 has been shown as pushed inwardly. As the lug 81 on this slide is carried rearwardly, it contacts the stop 83 on the primary lever 88 and swings this lever in a pivotal movement about its pivotal connection 81. The

link 84 attached to the primary lever 80 is carried rearwardly to a proportionate extent and results in clockwise movement of the link 49 of the control unit. It may be pointed out incidentally that, in the set up illustrated, a suitable means such as a spring 95 has been shown as extending between the link 84 and the primary lever 80 insuring proper movement of said link relative to the control unit during the pivotal swing of lever 89. It is presumed that the electric switch of the control unit is open at the time the coin slide is actuated, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. With reference likewise to Fig. 3, the clockwise movement of link 49 is transmitted, through the medium of the vertical rod 46, to the lever arm 41 and the assembly controlled thereby. The arm 41 therefore contacts the pin 29 and carries associated lever p1ate 21 and arm 24 from the. position shown in Fig. 4 to substantially the position seen in Fig. 5. At this instant, the stop 83 on the actuated slide 15 has reached a point in its pivotal are when it is free of contact with the lug 81 and consequently the primary lever 80, actuated by the coin slide, is released from the. influence of the latter and the control of the assembly by the operator terminates; Immediately, the lug 25 projecting upwardly from the arm 24, and engaged by the coil spring 38 in the chamber 35, is retracted whereby the lever assembly just described is swung back to the position shown in Fig. 3 and the switch lever B, actuated by the spring 56, is moved into contact with the associated switch element 53 for closing the switch and initiating a performance of a phonograph or other associated device. The result achieved by the movement of the link 49 and the associated levers 41, 28 and 24 may be explained as follows. The lever arm 41 contacts the pin 29 on the plate 28 and carries the associated assembly in the direction of the switch. The lug 25, being in engagement with the outer end of the coil spring 38 at the top of the control unit, results in contraction of said spring. As soon as the lever plate 28, at the inner end of the stroke, is released from the control of the arm 41, the spring 3!, operative on said plate 28, actuates the lever plate so as to swing the pawl 38 inwardly of the ratchet wheel and bring the pawl 30 into engagement with the adjacent pair of teeth of the ratchet wheel. Hence, as the lever assembly is carried forwardly again under the influence of the coil spring 38, the ratchet wheel is similarly ac-- tuated and the contact member 9 is simultaneously retracted so that the switch contacts 52 and 53 are permitted to come together under the influence of the spring 58. It should be noted, in connection with Fig. 3, that the pawl 39 is shown in its engaged relationship with the ratchet teeth, at the end of the retraction stroke. Normally, however, the pawl 30 remains out of engagement with the ratchet teeth. The engagement of pawl 30 with the ratchet teeth, when the associated lever assembly has been carried toward the switch and then released, is explained by the fact that the lever arm 41, in bearing against the pin 29, swings the lever plate 28 about its pivotal mounting 28 (Fig. 2) so that the spring 3| extending between the lever plate 28 and the arm 24 is stretched and Jerks the pawl 30 into engagement with the ratchet teeth immediately upon release of pressure on the lever arm 4'! and pin 29. A notch 98 (Fig. 3) in arm 41 engages pin 29 when said arm is actuated and serves as a cam for accentuating pivotal motion of plate 21. It is important to note that the pawl 39 will not engage and retract the ratchet wheel to permit closing of the switch until the actuated coin slide has been pushed fully in and thus released from engagement with lever 89. Hence, if an operator were to attempt to effect retraction of the ratchet and consequent closing of the switch by pushing the coin slide only part way in and then withdrawing it either partially or entirely, in the endeavor to obtain one or more unpaid operations of the associated phonograph or other device. the attempt would be frustrated because only a sudden and complete release of pressure between arm 41 and pin 29 causes pawl 30 to engage the ratchet. Otherwise, the coil spring 38, through the medium of lug 25, maintains the pin 29 in contact with the incompletely released arm 41 so that the lever plate 28 is not permitted to turn on its pivot and thus swing pin 39 into engagement with the ratchet. In other words, the relation of parts, under such circumstances, remains substantially similar to that seen in Fig. 5.

The coil spring 39, in carrying forwardly the lever assembly 4l--28--24 as described, likewise carries in the same direction the lever arm 41 against which the pin 29 is bearing. Consequently, the same motion is transmitted, through the rod 46 and the link 49, to the elongated link 84 and the primary lever 8|], which latter is restored thus to its initial operative position. It will be seen, in connection with the coin slide 11, that the lug 81 which is provided with the inclined end edge shown, slips past the adjacent abut ment 93 on the lever 90 and thereafter assumes its normal position as shown.

It may now be explained that the other coin slides 16 and 11 result in closing of the switch and in a series of functions in no wise different than those explained except that the pivotal movement of the primary lever 80 is progressively less as the ten cent and the five cent coin slides are actuated. Therefore, by way of example, when the coin slide 16 is actuated, the lever assembly controlled by the link 49 is moved only to a point indicated by the line C (Fig. 5) and when the five cent slide is actuated, said assembly is moved only substantially as far as the line D. Obviously, therefore, the ratchet wheel is retracted proportionately shorter distances and the switch contact 9 is moved progressively shorter distances away from the contact pin 63 of the switch. The opening of the switch, after the latter has been closed for a predetermined interval, is accomplished through the medium of the periodically actuated member 91 associated with the phonograph 59. It has been explained that said member 91 is actuated only at the termination of each unit of performance, that is, after each record has been played and the record changing mechanism functions to replace the played record. That is to say, the member 91 is actuated each time the phonograph is conditioned for an additional performance. The lever member 91, at this interval, actuates the link 45 in a clockwise direction and likewise the lever assembly controlled by said link. With reference to Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the lever arm 43 is carried against the upwardly projecting pin I9 on the triangular plate l9 and the latter and the associated parts are moved a short distance which is limited by contact of the pin l9 against a stop 93 projecting downwardly from the top plate 3. It will be apparent that the left hand corner of the lever plate I4 as seen in Fig. 3 is swung inwardly so that the pawl 20 engages the adjacent pair of teeth on the ratchet wheel and the latter is consequently moved in such wise that the switch contact 9 is actuated a limited distance in the direction of the contact pin 63 of the switch lever 6. The rotation of the ratchet wheel by actuation of the lever member 9'! may be limited to the distance between two of the teeth of the ratchet wheel so that after the playing of each record, the switch contact 9 is carried this limited distance toward the switch. Obviously, the greater the number of teeth separating the switch contact 9 from the pin 63, the greater the num ber of records played, therefore it may be explained that actuation of the twenty-five cent coin slide retracts switch contact 9 a distance equal to, for example, eight teeth so that eight records are played before the switch is opened; the ten cent coin slide retracts contact 9 a distance of three teeth so that three records are played before the switch is opened, and the five cent coin slide merely retracts the contact 9 a distance of one tooth so that one record only is played. In the various operations just described, it is understood that the switch opening contact 9 has been continuously in the position seen in Fig. 3, that is, in the path of the contact pin 63 of the switch. The present invention, however, provides for a contingency wherein a plurality of coins are deposited and a plurality of coin slides actuated (or else one coin slide actuated a number of times) at the same time or at close intervals. It becomes necessary, therefore, to play a greater number of records than is called for by the normal maximum stroke of the link 49 and the associated lever assembly. To cope with this contingency, the small triangular plate 64 mounted on the bottom plate 2 has been provided. Its functions are diagrammatically represented in Figs. 6-9. The upstanding pin 66 of the plate 94, it will be seen, lies in such position in the pathway of the switch contact 9 that, should the ratchet Wheel and contact 9 be retracted, to a greater than normal extent, as suggested above, the pin 66 abuts the curved edge of the contact 9 and swings the latter to the position seen in Fig. 7 wherein said contact 9 is no longer in the pathway of the contact pin 63 on the switch lever 6. Further pivotal movement of the switch contact 9 is limited by the stop I 2. For the sake of illustration, it will be presumed that the switch contact 9, in its pushed back or retracted position (Fig. 7), is carried in a counter-clockwise direction, as indicated by arrow, to a position slightly to the left of that seen in Fig. '7. At this time, the playing of records is begun and it will be seen in the dotted lines of Fig. 7 that the contact 9 passes the contact pin 63 of the switch lever without engaging said pin whereby the switch remains closed and continues to remain closed until the contact 9 has been swung outwardly and carried around again into engagement with the contact pin 63. The swinging out of the retracted contact 9 is effected in the following manner. It will be presumed that the contact 9 has passed the position seen in dotted lines in Fig. 7 and, moving in a clockwise direction, comes adjacent and contacts the pin 66 of the triangular plate 64. In Fig. 8 this engaging action between contact 9 and pin 66 has occurred and the contact 9 has been swung out into its normal position. Upon further clockwise movement of the ratchet wheel, the pin 66, as seen in Fig. 9, rides outwardly on the straight edge of the contact 9, the plate 64 yielding outwardly during this interval, and upon continued clockwise movement of the contact member 9, the pin 66 slips off the outer end of said contact and leaves the latter in its switch opening position. It will be understood therefore that the switch contact 9 may make a single non-contacting movement passing the switch, in the manner described and illustrated in connection with Fig. '7. Retractions of the ratchet wheel and the pin contact 9 to points less than the maximum retraction already described will now be understood, the essential feature being that once the contact 9 has passed and has been swung inwardly by the pin 66, and is then advanced again toward the switch, the pin 66 functions to place said contact again in its switch opening position.

What is claimed is:

1. A ratchet wheel mounted on a shaft, a member mounted adjacent the wheel for arcuate independent movement relative thereto, resilient means urging said member in one direction, a pawl mounted on said member, means yieldably urging the pawl into engagement with the ratchet, means for arcuately moving said pawlcarrying member in a direction contrary to the pressure of the resilient means operative thereon,

means effecting complete release of the pawlcarrying member to the action of said resilient means after predetermined actuation of said moving means, and means maintaining the pawl outof engagement with the ratchet against the action of the yieldable means operative on the pawl until such complete release has been effected.

2. The combination of a ratchet wheel and a mounting therefor, an arm positioned adjacent to and concentric with the ratchet for independent arcuate movement relative thereto, resilient means urging the arm in one direction, a pawl pivotally mounted on said arm, a spring extending between said pawl and arm and urging the pawl into engagement with the ratchet, means for arcuateiy moving said arm in a direction contrary to the resilient pressure thereon and for effecting sudden release of the arm from control of said moving means after such movement of said arm a limited distance whereby the arm is returned by said resilient means to its initial position and the ratchet is simultaneously and proportionately actuated by said pawl, and means operative upon initial movement of said arm for actuating the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet and for maintaining the pawl in such position until said sudden release of the arm from said moving means has been effected.

MITCHELL A. HALL. 

